Compartment Box for Storing Food

ABSTRACT

A compartment box for storing food includes a storage section, a first lid, a second lid, a third lid, a fourth lid, a male interlocking feature, and a female interlocking feature. The storage section is configured a primary compartment and at least one secondary compartment to separately store different food item. The first lid, the second lid, the third lid, and the fourth lid are perimetrically positioned around the storage section. The male interlocking feature is integrated into the first lid, and the female interlocking feature is integrated into the third lid. The first lid, the second lid, the third lid, and the fourth lid are foldably connected around the storage section, wherein the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, the fourth lid, the male interlocking feature, and the female interlocking feature are reciprocally engaged in between an opened configuration and a closed configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a food storage containers. More particularly, the present invention is made from paper material and primarily utilized as a compartment box for storing food. Furthermore, the present invention can also be utilized as food storing tray with the removal of the lids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food storage containers is an apparatus that can be utilized to store or transport food item so that the stored food can be protected from outside elements. Generally, food storage containers are manufactured as plastic or Styrofoam containers to contain liquid, oil, or grease portions of the food item thus eliminating leakage through the container walls. Due to the popularity and the convenience of different types of food storing containers, existing plastic or Styrofoam containers heavily contributes to plastic pollution.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide compartment box for storing food that is made from paper material. More specifically, the present invention is made from the paper material and configured with sufficient structural integrity to seal around the corners of the storage section. The storage section is further configured with multiple compartments to separate different food items during storage. The present invention is also configured with four foldable lids so that the storage section can be covered. Resultantly, the present invention is able to provide solution to the plastic pollution that is creating through the existing plastic food storage containers without compromising the functionality of the apparatus or changing the user behavior with respect to food consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in the opened configuration.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in the opened configuration.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention in the opened configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in the closed configuration.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention in the opened configuration.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the third embodiment of the present invention in the opened configuration.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in the opened configuration.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a compartment box for storing food and configured with four foldable lids so that the stored food items can be covered from outside elements. The present invention comprises a storage section 1, a first lid 15, a second lid 16, a third lid 17, a fourth lid 18, a male interlocking feature 19, and a female interlocking feature 20 as shown in FIG. 1-4. In reference to the general configuration, the first lid 15, the second lid 16, the third lid 17, and the fourth lid 18 are foldably connected around the storage section 1 that stores food items so that the present invention can selectively configured in between an opened configuration and a closed configuration upon user's preference.

In order to eliminate plastic pollution, the present invention is completely made from paper material thus providing a biodegradable product. More specifically, the storage section 1, the first lid 15, the second lid 16, the third lid 17, the fourth lid 18, and the male interlocking feature 19 are made from polyethylene coated paper material. Even though the present invention is manufactured with the polyethylene coated paper material, the present invention is able to maintain the traditional leak free functionality of the existing non-biodegradable food containers through the molded manufacturing process.

The storage section 1 that allows the user to store different food items comprises a base 4, a lateral wall 5, a primary compartment 2, at least one secondary compartment 3. In reference to FIG. 1-2, the lateral wall 5 is perimetrically connected around the base 4 so that the general shape of the storage section 1 can be defined. The primary compartment 2 and the at least one secondary compartment 3 are delineated within the base 4 and the lateral wall 5 as the at least one secondary compartment 3 is positioned adjacent to the primary compartment 2. Depending upon different embodiment of the storage section 1, the primary compartment 2 and the at least one secondary compartment 3 can arrange in different configurations.

The first lid 15, the second lid 16, the third lid 17, and the fourth lid 18 are perimetrically positioned around the lateral wall 5, wherein the collective arrangement of the four different lids provide or prevent access to the storage section 1. In reference to FIG. 2, the lateral wall 5 comprises a first top-edge 6, a second top-edge 7, a third top-edge 8, and a fourth top-edge 9. More specifically, upper edge of the storage section 1 is delineated with the first top-edge 6, the second top-edge 7, the third top-edge 8, and the fourth top-edge 9 as the storage section 1 is shaped into a rectangular shape. In refence to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the first top-edge 6 is positioned parallel to the third top-edge 8. The second top-edge 7 is positioned parallel to the fourth top-edge 9. The first top-edge 6 is terminally connected to the second top-edge 7 and the fourth top-edge 9. The third top-edge 8 is terminally connected to the second top-edge 7 and the fourth top-edge 9. In order to delineate the rectangular shape of the storage section 1, the first top-edge 6 is perpendicularly positioned to the second top-edge 7, and the third top-edge 8 is perpendicularly positioned to the fourth top-edge 9. In reference to the attachment of the lids, the first lid 15 is foldably and terminally connected to the first top-edge 6. The second lid 16 is foldably and terminally connected to the second top-edge 7. The third lid 17 is foldably and terminally connected to the third top-edge 8. The fourth lid 18 is foldably and terminally connected to the fourth top-edge 9. As a result, the first top-edge 6, the second top-edge 7, the third top-edge 8, and the fourth top-edge 9 are able to individually fold in and out about the storage section 1.

The male interlocking feature 19 is a hook-shaped body and is terminally integrated into the first lid 15 as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the male interlocking feature 19 extends away from a distal edge of the first lid 15. The female interlocking feature 20 is an opening and is integrated into the third lid 17 as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the female interlocking feature 20 is a hole and traverses through the third lid 17 so that the male interlocking feature 19 can be inserted through. As a result, the first lid 15, the second lid 16, the third lid 17, the fourth lid 18, the male interlocking feature 19, and the female interlocking feature 20 are reciprocally engaged in between the opened configuration and the closed configuration.

In reference to the opened configuration of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the first lid 15 is angularly oriented away from the base 4 of the storage section 1. The third lid 17 is angularly oriented away from the base 4. The second lid 16 is angularly oriented away from the base 4. The fourth lid 18 is angularly oriented away from the base 4. In other words, the first lid 15, the second lid 16, the third lid 17, and the fourth lid 18 are outwardly folded from the storage section 1 as the male interlocking feature 19 and the female interlocking feature 20 are oriented away from each other. Resultantly, the user can easily access the primary compartment 2 and the at least one secondary compartment 3.

In reference to the closed configuration of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the first lid 15 is oriented parallel to the base 4 of the storage section 1. The third lid 17 is oriented parallel to the base 4. The second lid 16 is oriented parallel to the base 4. The fourth lid 18 is oriented parallel to the base 4. In other words, the first lid 15, the second lid 16, the third lid 17, and the fourth lid 18 are inwardly folded towards the storage section 1 as the male interlocking feature 19 is removably engaged within the female interlocking feature 20. Resultantly, the present invention prevents access to the primary compartment 2 and the at least one secondary compartment 3 from outside while securely storing food items within the storage section 1.

In a first embodiments of the storage section 1, as shown in FIG. 1-3, the primary compartment 2 is positioned adjacent to the second lid 16 and along the second top-edge 7. The at least one secondary compartment 3 is positioned adjacent to the fourth lid 18 and along the fourth top-edge 9. Furthermore, a storage volume of the primary compartment 2 is larger than a storage volume of the at least one secondary compartment 3 so that the user can efficiently store two different types of food in response to their respective portion size. For example, a larger portion of rice can be stored within the primary compartment 2 as a smaller portion of vegetable is stored within the at least one secondary compartment 3. Resultantly, the first embodiments of the storage section 1 delineates two compartment storage section 1.

In a second embodiments of the storage section 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the primary compartment 2 is positioned adjacent to the fourth lid 18 and along the fourth top-edge 9. The at least one secondary compartment 3 is positioned adjacent to the second lid 16 and along the second top-edge 7. Furthermore, a storage volume of the primary compartment 2 is larger than a storage volume of the at least one secondary compartment 3 so that the user can efficiently store two different types of food in response to their respective portion size. The second embodiment of the storage section 1 is very similar to the first embodiment of the storage section 1, wherein the only difference that the corresponding sides of the primary compartment 2 and the at least one secondary compartment 3 are switched. Resultantly, the second embodiments of the storage section 1 delineates two compartment storage section 1.

In a third embodiments of the storage section 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the at least one secondary compartment 3 comprises a first adjacent compartment 13 and a second adjacent compartment 14. The primary compartment 2 is positioned in between the first adjacent compartment 13 and the second adjacent compartment 14. The first adjacent compartment 13 is positioned adjacent to the second lid 16 and along the second top-edge 7. The second adjacent compartment 14 is positioned adjacent to the fourth lid 18 and along the fourth top-edge 9. Furthermore, a storage volume of the primary compartment 2 is equal to a storage volume of the first adjacent compartment 13 and a storage volume of the second adjacent compartment 14. For example, the primary compartment 2, the first adjacent compartment 13, and the second adjacent compartment 14 are able to store equal portion of rice. Resultantly, the third embodiments of the storage section 1 delineates three compartment storage section 1.

In a fourth embodiments of the storage section 1, as shown in FIG. 7, the at least one secondary compartment 3 comprises a first inline-compartment 10, a second inline-compartment 11, and a third inline-compartment 12. The primary compartment 2 is positioned adjacent the first lid 15 and along the first top-edge 6. The first inline-compartment 10, the second inline-compartment 11, and the third inline-compartment 12 are positioned adjacent the third lid 17 and along the third top-edge 8. In other words, the first inline-compartment 10, the second inline-compartment 11, and the third inline-compartment 12 are linearly positioned in between the second lid 16 and the fourth lid 18. Resultantly, the fourth embodiments of the storage section 1 delineates four compartment storage section 1.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A compartment box for storing food comprising: a storage section; a first lid; a second lid; a third lid; a fourth lid; a male interlocking feature; a female interlocking feature; the storage section comprising a base, a lateral wall, a primary compartment, and a secondary compartment; the lateral wall being perimetrically connected around the base; the primary compartment and the secondary compartment being delineated within the base and the lateral wall; the secondary compartment being positioned adjacent to the primary compartment; the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, and the fourth lid being perimetrically positioned around the lateral wall; the male interlocking feature being integrated into the first lid; the female interlocking feature being integrated into the third lid; the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, and the fourth lid being foldably connected to the lateral wall, wherein the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, the fourth lid, the male interlocking feature, and the female interlocking feature are reciprocally engaged in between an opened configuration and a closed configuration; the storage section, the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, the fourth lid, and the male interlocking feature being made from polyethylene coated paper material; the primary compartment being positioned adjacent to the second lid; the secondary compartment being positioned adjacent to the fourth lid; and a storage volume of the primary compartment being larger than a storage volume of the secondary compartment.
 2. The compartment box for storing food as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the lateral wall comprising a first top-edge, a second top-edge, a third top-edge, and a fourth top-edge; the first top-edge being positioned parallel to the third top-edge; the second top-edge being positioned parallel to the fourth top-edge; the first top-edge being terminally connected to the second top-edge and the fourth top-edge; the third top-edge being terminally connected to the second top-edge and the fourth top-edge; the first top-edge being perpendicularly positioned to the second top-edge; and the third top-edge being perpendicularly positioned to the fourth top-edge.
 3. The compartment box for storing food as claimed in claim 2 comprising: the first lid being foldably and terminally connected to the first top-edge; the second lid being foldably and terminally connected to the second top-edge; the third lid being foldably and terminally connected to the third top-edge; and the fourth lid being foldably and terminally connected to the fourth top-edge.
 4. The compartment box for storing food as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the opened configuration; the first lid being angularly oriented away from the base; the third lid being angularly oriented away from the base; the second lid being angularly oriented away from the base; the fourth lid being angularly oriented away from the base; and the male interlocking feature and the female interlocking feature being oriented away from each other.
 5. The compartment box for storing food as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the closed configuration; the first lid being oriented parallel to the base; the third lid being oriented parallel to the base; the second lid being oriented parallel to the base; the fourth lid being oriented parallel to the base; and the male interlocking feature being removably engaged within the female interlocking feature.
 6. (canceled)
 7. A compartment box for storing food comprising: a storage section; a first lid; a second lid; a third lid; a fourth lid; a male interlocking feature; a female interlocking feature; the storage section comprising a base, a lateral wall, a primary compartment, and a secondary compartment; the lateral wall being perimetrically connected around the base; the primary compartment and the secondary compartment being delineated within the base and the lateral wall; the secondary compartment being positioned adjacent to the primary compartment; the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, and the fourth lid being perimetrically positioned around the lateral wall; the male interlocking feature being integrated into the first lid; the female interlocking feature being integrated into the third lid; the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, and the fourth lid being foldably connected to the lateral wall, wherein the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, the fourth lid, the male interlocking feature, and the female interlocking feature are reciprocally engaged in between an opened configuration and a closed configuration; the storage section, the first lid, the second lid, the third lid, the fourth lid, and the male interlocking feature being made from polyethylene coated paper material; the primary compartment being positioned adjacent the fourth lid; the secondary compartment being positioned adjacent the second lid; and a storage volume of the primary compartment being larger than a storage volume of the secondary compartment.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled) 